Meet the Teacher Night – Thanks to all the families who attended the Kindergarten Orientation / Meet the Teacher Night and helped to make it a success.  A special thanks to PTO for all of their assistance.

The Family Handbook – Please be sure to check your Family Handbook.  The Handbook is divided into three main sections.  All of the important papers that need to be returned to school are attached to the front of the Handbook.  Please take some time to complete these forms and send them back as soon as possible.  The second section contains School Policies for your reference.  The final section contains Basic Operating Information about the Elementary Schools.  You should be able to find the answers to your questions in this section.  We are asking families to review the contents of the Handbook with their children.  If you have any questions, please ask your child’s teacher for clarification.

Schedules – This year, we are on a 4 day schedule, with Specials (art, music, gym and library) on Days 1 and 2.  Guidance classes and special music classes will be on Day 3 or 4. 

PSSA Results – If you haven’t heard the news yet, let me tell you that for the sixth year in a row, our students’ PSSA scores were significantly higher than the state averages and we have made our Adequate Yearly Progress.  Individual Student Reports should arrive in September and will be sent to families as soon as they are received.  Thanks to all the families who support what we do here at school, as well as to the teachers who have worked hard to prepare our students.

Swine Flu Update – We have just received updated guidance on the H1N1 flu, as well as the seasonal flu.  The guidelines recommend basic good hygiene, such as hand washing and covering noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.  In addition, students with flu-like illness should stay home at least 24 hours after fever symptoms have ended.  We will have a presentation on Friday, August 28^th from staff at Evangelical Community Hospital on hand washing.  All classrooms have a new supply of hand sanitizer and the custodial staff is routinely cleaning areas that students and staff touch often.  We can all work to keep our children healthy by practicing prevention and using common sense.

Teacher Web Pages – Teachers have been updating their Web Pages.  You may link to the Classroom Web Page through the Warrior Run School District Web Page (http://www.wrsd.org).  Use this resource to check out homework assignments and current and future classroom activities, as well as the building calendar and newsletter.

Outstanding Students – The Soaring Eagle Award is given to outstanding students who demonstrate the following behaviors:

·   being self-responsible

·   cooperating with others

·   helping with others

·   acting as a role model

Teachers nominate students and periodically one student from each grade level is randomly chosen to receive the O award.  All names are saved and at the end of each marking period and again at the end of the year, the students who have received the most nominations will be given a special citation.

Principal’s Book Club

      The selections for September are:

            Kindergarten:   Each Peach Pear Plum, by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. 

            First Grade:      My Friend is Sad, by Mo Willems

            Second Grade: The Class from the Black Lagoon, by Mike Thaler.

            Third Grade:     The Talented Clementine, by Sara PennyPacker.

            Fourth Grade:   Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls – Moving Day, by Meg Cabot.

PTO

Just a reminder that the next PTO meeting will be held on Thursday, September 3^rd, at 6:30 in the art room.  All families are invited to attend.  Babysitting will be provided.

Playground Equipment Update – The playground committee selected a new piece of equipment and we are in the process of making a purchase.  Before long, we will be asking for support from families to help with the installation of this equipment.

Homework Tips For Parents

• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit place to do homework.  Avoid having your child do homework with the television on or in places with other distractions, such as people coming and going.
• Make sure the materials your child needs, such as paper, pencils and a dictionary, are available.  Ask your child if special materials will be needed and get them in advance.
• Help your child with time management.  Establish a set time each day for doing homework.  Don't let your child wait until just before bedtime.  Think about using weekend time for working on big projects, especially if the project involves getting together with classmates.
• Be positive about homework.  Tell your child how important school is. The attitude you express about homework will be the attitude your child acquires.
• When your child does homework, you do homework.  Show your child that the skills they are learning are related to things you do as an adult.  If your child is reading, you read too.  If your child is doing math, balance your checkbook.
• When your child asks for help, provide guidance, not answers.  Giving answers means your child will not learn the material.  Too much help teaches your child that when the going gets rough, someone will do the work for him.
• When the teacher asks that you play a role in homework, do it.  Cooperate with the teacher.  It shows your child that the school and home are a team, working together.
• If homework is meant to be done by your child alone, stay away.  Too much parent involvement can prevent homework from having some positive effects.  Homework is a great way for children to develop independent, lifelong learning skills.

Susan Welteroth, DEd, Principal

August 24, 2009